Buescher has solid Camping World Truck Series run in California
February 23, 2009
As the stars of the big screen arrived in Tinseltown for the Academy Awards, the stars of the NASCAR Camping World Series rumbled into California for round 2 of the 2009 season.
The International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150 on track at Auto Club Speedway
After a dynamic performance during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway that earned Texan James Buescher the nod for the top spot in the ARCA ReMax Series and a stint at the front of the field in his first Camping World Truck Series start for Circle Bar Racing, Buescher headed cross country to Auto Club Speedway for the San Bernardino 200.
Not only was the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Candidate making only his 3rd series start it was the first time he had seen the Auto Club Speedway. Crew chief Jamie Jones and the team on Buescher’s International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150 prepared a stable truck they could adjust and make faster during practice.
Buescher’s first laps on the 2-mile oval were tentative as the rookie made his first laps on a new racetrack. As the first practice session wore on Buescher steadily climbed the speed charts. By the second session, Buescher was comfortable and turning top 20 lap times. Buescher hit his marks in qualifying and improved on his practice lap times to start outside of the eighth row.
With the drop of the green flag, spotter Jason Hedlesky helped Buescher work traffic and in his first start at Auto Club Speedway Buescher moved quickly towards the top 10. With 20 of 100 laps in the books, Buescher’s International MaxxForce Diesel F-150 was loose in, loose in the middle and loose off.
With a caution on lap 26, crew chief Jamie Jones called Buescher to pit road for a double pit stop for 4 fresh Goodyear Wranglers on the first stop and a full load of Sunoco fuel on the second. Always performing, the International MaxxForce Diesel over-the-wall-crew picked up three spots on pit road.
Back under green Buescher was sliding around in oil being dropped from the 25 truck of Terry Cook, but with oil on the track the caution flag waved yet again. Jones brought the International MaxxForce Diesel F-150 back to pit road to top of the fuel tank and make a track bar adjustment.
Back under green the Plano, Texas native started working his way into the top 10, lap 48-11th, lap 49-10th, lap 50-9th, lap 51-8th.
As the laps wore on so did Buescher’s Goodyears.
By lap 70 the International MaxxForce Diesel F-150 was sliding around on the track and sliding back in the field. Buescher was looking for a caution for fresh tires but the race stayed green until the finish. With the new pit rules requiring 2 stops to take gas and tires Jones could only bring the International MaxxForce Diesel F-150 one time. On lap 81 Buescher made his way down pit road for gas and another track bar adjustment. The final adjustment was enough for Buescher to hang on for 13th and the top finishing Ford.
James on his weekend; “I’m proud to lead the Ford contingent in only my second start at Circle Bar. The credit goes to Jamie (Jones) and all the guys on our International MaxxForce Diesel team, they do a great job, not only with our trucks but also helping me get around. We had a solid truck that kept getting better all weekend, I wish we had gotten an opportunity to put on some fresh tires in the second half of the race. I’m looking forward to Atlanta.”
The International MaxxForce Diesel Team will be in action when the NASCAR Camping World Series holds round 3 of the 2009 season in the American Commercial Lines 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 7th at 2:00 PM EST. Live coverage of the race provided by Speed, MRN and Sirius Radio. Pre-Race Show on Speed at 1:30 PM EST.
By Circle Bar Racing
Photo courtesy of Ronda Greer.
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